Preston Gomez, the original manager of the Padres, was in critical condition last night after being struck by a pickup truck yesterday morning at a gas station in Blythe.

Gomez, 84, who has been a special assistant to Angels general managers for the past 20 years, was driving home from spring training with his wife when he stopped to refuel his car.

Witnesses said Gomez had finished refueling and was crossing a driveway when he was struck by the pickup. The driver, who was not cited, apparently didn't see Gomez.

A report with the Blythe Police Department said Gomez suffered “pretty major head injuries.” He was taken to the local hospital, stabilized and airlifted to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

The Cuban-born Gomez had coached third base in three World Series with the Dodgers when he was named manager of the expansion Padres on Aug. 29, 1968. He had a 180-316 record when he was replaced by Don Zimmer 11 games into his fourth season. He later managed the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros.

Gomez has spent 64 years in professional baseball as a player, coach, manager, scout and front-office executive. He was inducted into the Hispanic Baseball Heritage Museum's Hall of Fame in 2003.